THE DISAPPEARANCE OF AIMEE

US, 1976, 110 minutes, Colour.
Faye Dunaway, Bette Davis, James Wood, James Sloyan, Lelia Goldoni.
Directed by Anthony Harvey.

The Disappearance of Aimee is a very well made telemovie. Directed by Anthony Harvey - stage director and director of such rare films as Dutchman, The Lion In Winter, They Might Be Giants, The Abdication, the film is very stylishly made. It is enhanced by an expert performance by Faye Dunaway in the central role with the support of Bette Davis as her mother. It shows the odd character that was Aimee Semple McPherson? with her evangelism and revivalism, and the influence of her mother. It shows the atmosphere of the American response to these preachers in the '20s. It also shows something of the hypocrisy of the external religious way of life and the emotional needs and potential sinfulness underneath. It shows the Revival episodes as well as the court scenes exploring this strange contradiction. Well written, very interesting, very worthwhile themes.

1. The focus of the title? A symbol of Aimee Semple McPherson's behaviour, impact?

2. The phenomenon of revivalist preachers in the '20s? An American phenomenon? The opening sequences and the use of newsreel style to focus on Aimee and the '20s? The comparison with other celebrities of the '20s? The use of newsreel later as a device for her return? The information given at the end about the Four Square churches that she founded and their growth? How is this explained in the context of America? Of California and Southern California and its toleration of religions, sects, way out and individual behaviour?

3. The film's presentation of religion, revivalism? The film's comment on the authenticity of religious attitudes? Mrs. McPherson's description of her call? The quality of her prayer and the manner? Hymns and singing? Healing phenomena? Faith healing and the manifestations of faith? Her conviction that she was right and her attitude towards God? God being on her side?

4. The spread of revivalism in the '20s - the post-war era, the jazz age and enthusiasm? The significance of radio and her ability to exploit it? The film's recreation of the period - houses, cars, decor, costume? The '20s in Southern California?

5. The hostility that revivalists provoke? Why? The television audience sharing this - or sympathy for revivalist religion? The criticisms of authority, of the law? The D.A. symbolising this? Justice, religious prejudice? (And the comments about Catholicism?) The provocation by the evangelists? The self-assurance, the confidence in victory? The inevitability of the clashes?

6. The film's presentation of Aimee's influence, the long portrayals of the rallies, the focus on Aimee and her presentation of herself, of her mother? The enthusiasm of the hymn-singing, the healing phenomena? The camera ranging over the people in the audience, the focus on their profiles, ordinary people, women? The people listening on the radio e.g. people working in kitchens? The D.A. and his listening and reaction by contrast?

7. The quality of Faye Dunaway's performance? How persuasive was she? Her vigour at the rallies, her zest for her call, her performance? Her bringing her mother into the rally? The contrast between her private image - e.g. swimming, the relationship with Ken Ormiston, discussions with her mother? Her public image? Her public image after the disappearance, her rousing of enthusiasm, the threat by the D.A. and her confidence in victory? Her telling the truth or lying about her disappearance? Her emphasis to her mother on the need for privacy and her not having it? The importance of the loyalty of her secretary to her in the rallies, in the courtroom? The contrast with the suspicions of the police, Ryan and his accusations, the D.A. and his hostility? Ken Ormiston and his devotion and his saving her?

8. Aimee in prayer, her techniques for the radio, her provocation in the court - her look, manner, drawing and writing? The importance of the set pieces in her telling her life story to the Grand Jury and its emotional appeal? How clever was this speech, how persuasive? (And the woman destroying the evidence?) Her story of the kidnapping as told from her bed in the hospital? Faye Dunaway's skill in these long stories?

9. What really happened to Aimee? The evidence? Truth and lies? The opinion of the film's writer? Audience opinion about her disappearance - was she kidnapped, was she with Ken Ormiston? If she was with Ormiston, the impact of her lying?

10. If the kidnapping were true, the effect on her, the lack of evidence? Her mother's disbelief? The disbelief of the law? The details of checking her story?

11. If her story was false, the value of the evidence that she was with Ken, the circumstantial nature of it? The significance of Ken's lie to save her? Her appearance at Carmel, in the car going south? The film suggesting that this was true by showing her happy on the telephone with Ken? The marriage problems and Mrs. Ormiston's jealousy? Her love for Ken, need for some kind of private life and privacy? Her victory in the court and her final look at Ken and his look at her?

12. How sympathetic a person was Ken - in the employ of Aimee, on the telephone with her, the clash with Mrs. Kennedy? In the flashbacks with Carmel, with the car and the newspaper reporter on the road, his giving himself up, his testimony in court, his final appearance?

13. The motivation of the District Attorney? His interrogation, disappointment? Ryan and his support? His visit to Arizona and listening to Aimee's story? The police investigator and his interrogation of Mrs. Kennedy, the visit to Arizona? Their responses on the stand and emotional reaction against Aimee? The final defeat for the District Attorney and his withdrawal of charges?

14. Bette Davis as Mother Kennedy? The story of her bringing up Aimee, home life in Canada? Her support of her daughter? Her presence at the rallies and on the stage, her concern at her daughter's disappearance, being at headquarters and raising funds, discussions with the police, her conducting the memorial service? Her reaction to the finding of Aimee and the telephone call and warning her not to talk? The visit to the hospital and the first rejection? The presence in the courtroom, the discussion in the prison cell and her confrontation of her daughter, Aimee's demand for privacy? Their mutual embrace after the victory? Bette Davis' style, mannerisms and their incorporation into the character of Mother Kennedy?

15. Emma and her evidence, answering questions, praise at the rally after the court discussion?

16. The characterisation of the journalist and his interrogation of Ken Ormiston, the landlord from Carmel? Their disappointing the District Attorney because of their evidence?

17. The effectiveness of the structure - the rallies, the court case and the gradual revelation of Aimee and her mother, the mystery of the disappearance? Audiences and their judgements on Aimee and her behaviour?

18. The quality of the film as a character study, presentation of American religion and religiosity, the way of religion in California? A particular glimpse of American attitudes?